By Mandy McWherter

 

When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies.

 

TheAmerican Red CrossandDiscoveryare partnering for Shark Week and invite people to dive in to help save lives by giving blood or platelets in July. The Red Cross saw a steep drop in blood and platelet donations last month, and donors are asked to make appointments now to prevent a blood shortage this summer.

 

In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. Here in South Carolina, 23% less donations were made than expected. When fewer people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies. Thanks to Discovery, all who come to give blood or platelets in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive Shark Week merchandise package that includes:

 

• Beach bike
• Smokeless portable fire pit
• Paddle board
• Kayak
• $500 gift card to put toward accessories

 

Those who come to give July 21-24 will get an exclusive Shark Week T-shirt from Discovery, while supplies last. Details are available atrcblood.org/sharkweek.By making and keeping blood and platelet donation appointments in July, donors can connect with patients through a lifesaving gift. To book a time to give, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitRedCrossBlood.orgor call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 7-31:

 

Charleston

7/7/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/7/2022: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jones Ford, 5757 Rivers Ave.

7/8/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/9/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/10/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/11/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/12/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/13/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd

7/14/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/15/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/16/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/17/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/18/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/19/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/19/2022: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Kings Cross Church, 2011 Clements Ferry Rd.

7/20/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., MUSC Horseshoe, 171 Ashley Ave.

7/20/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/21/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/22/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/23/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/24/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/25/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/26/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/27/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/27/2022: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Synagogue Emanu-El, Five Windsor Dr.

7/28/2022: 9:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/28/2022: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., ABC News 4 at Citadel Mall, 2070 Sam Rittenberg Rd.

7/28/2022: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., ABC News 4, 2150 Nothwoods Mall #60

7/29/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/30/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

7/30/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Hindu Temple of Charleston, 1740 Jervey Ave.

7/31/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., West Ashley Blood Donation Center, 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

 

Isle of Palms

7/20/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wild Dunes Resort-Palmetto Hall, 5757 Palm Blvd.

 

Mount Pleasant

7/8/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/9/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/10/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/10/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Christ Our King, 1122 Russell Dr.

7/11/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/12/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/13/2022: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Thomas & Hutton Engineering, 682 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Suite 100

7/15/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/16/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/17/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/18/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/19/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/22/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/22/2022: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., East Cooper Medical Center, 2000 Hospital Dr.

7/23/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/24/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/25/2022: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2115 Hwy 17 North

7/25/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/25/2022: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian, 302 Hibben St.

7/26/2022: 11:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/29/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/30/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

7/31/2022: 6:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Mt Pleasant Blood Donation Center, 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd.

 

North Charleston

7/7/2022: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Synter Resource Group, 5935 Rivers Ave, Suite 102

7/8/2022: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Johnson Controls, 4415 Sea Ray Dr.

7/13/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Crews Subaru Showroom, 8261 Rivers Ave

7/15/2022: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., NIWC 198, 1545 Truxtun Ave.

7/18/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave.

7/19/2022: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1444 Remount Rd.

7/20/2022: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., American Red Cross Chapter, 2424 City Hall Ln.

7/27/2022: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Crews Chevrolet, 8199 Rivers Ave.

 

Goose Creek

7/12/2022: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lowe's--Goose Creek, 520 St. James Ave.

7/17/2022: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception Parish Community Center, 510 St. James Ave.

 

Ladson

7/29/2022: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Exchange Park, 7850 Hwy 78

 

Moncks Corner

7/13/2022: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Berkeley County Water and Sanitation Authority, 212 Oakley Plantation Rd.

7/14/2022: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santee Cooper Main Building, 1 Riverwood Dr.

7/18/2022: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Tri-City Baptist Church, 152 Lazy Hill Rd.

7/22/2022: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Freedom Church, 1425 Cypress Gardens Rd.

 

Blood drive safety 

 

The Red Cross follows a high standard of safety and infection control. The Red Cross will continue to socially distance wherever possible at blood drives, donation centers and facilities. While donors are no longer required to wear a face mask, individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask for any reason. The Red Cross will also adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance, or at the request of blood drive sponsors. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a drive.